Find trees to fit your landscape in the annual seedling sales held by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and by local counties. Each sale has different offerings. In addition to tree seedlings, some counties offer shrubs, wildflower seeds, ferns and supplies for your plants. See details on the DEC sale here. See sales in these counties: Cattaraugus Chautauqua Erie Genesee Niagara Orleans (See page 5 of the newsletter.) Trees with flowers, fruit & nuts Here are…
by Connie Oswald Stofko There’s nothing like the taste of vine-ripened tomatoes, but frost will stop tomato production cold. There are ways to try to protect your plants from frost, but it can be difficult to accomplish. (See some tips here on how to prevent frost from damaging garden plants. So last year when Judy Clark of Hamburg excitedly told me, “It’s the end of November and I’m still getting fresh tomatoes,” you can bet that I wanted to know…
There isn’t a lot to do in your garden right now, so it’s a good time to learn more about gardening and get prepared for spring. Here is a sampling of classes and talks coming up in the next few weeks. We’re constantly adding more activities to our Events page, so check there often to see what’s coming up. Everything listed there, including garden club meetings, is open to the public. Events held by nonprofit groups are listed on Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Susan Martin of Michigan was looking through photos she had taken years ago in gardens all over the country. She came across a photo of a hosta in a colorful pot and realized she had planted a hosta in a pot that was the same color as the pot in the picture. She hadn’t done it purposely; she didn’t even remember the photo. Yet “It wasn’t a coincidence,” Martin said. “My brain knew that color when…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question from a reader: Hi,I bought an amaryllis in a home hardware store. Bulb and container. It is blooming beautiful right now in January. It’s named “Holland Star.’ I have two stalks, lots of blooms but no leaves??? What does that mean? Hope you can give me some advice. So glad I found this site. I have bought these for my mother many years ago. I did not know they would keep from year…
Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants, which are awarded to groups within the geographic area of Garden Walk Buffalo, have been awarded for 2019. Applications are available for 2020. Even if you don’t live in that area, mark you calendar for this year’s Garden Walk Buffalo. And did you know you can get a map for that walk mailed to you? 2019 grant recipients The Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants are awarded to block clubs and community groups to help beautify Buffalo through…
by Connie Oswald Stofko We got snow in November, then it melted. In late December, the weather was surprisingly warm, with air temperatures reaching the high 50s. The grass looked so green! Then the temperatures hit lows in the teens. This past weekend we got socked with snow. One thing you can say for weather in Western New York– it’s not boring. Here are some things you can do to deal with these changes in winter weather. Protect your plants…
You may know that dandelion leaves can be eaten, but there are even more uses for this plant. The milky sap of a variety of dandelion can be used to make rubber, according to an article by Lyn Chimera in the most recent issue of WNY Gardening Matters. WNY Gardening Matters is produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Also in this issue: Learn about an invasive pest called the hemlock wooly adelgid, which can…
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will host Lumagination, with the interior of the gardens illuminated to excite imaginations, stimulate the senses and entertain all ages. “Mysterious Minerals” is the theme this year. Visitors will experience the extraordinary facets of Earth and minerals. From simulated salt caves and stalactites to wooden sculptures, balancing stones, geodes and crystals, Lumagination will take visitors on a journey like no other. This is part three of a four-part series exploring water, air, earth…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do rabbits make nests in your garden? Do cats use your garden for a litterbox? Here is one tip to solve both problems. Make the space less appealing by breaking it up with sticks. In addition to sticks from a tree, you can recycle disposable chopsticks, Popsicle sticks, old plant tags and plastic forks and spoons. In my garden I have a metal spoon that was damaged when it fell into the garbage disposal. Don’t go…